Saturday, 3 September 2011

Champions League 11/12 Preview - Group A

Last season:Budesliga, 3rd
Round of 16 – Lost to Inter Milan 3-3 on away games

Manager:JuppHeynckes

Key Man:ArjenRobben

Stadium:Allianz Arena – Capacity: 69,901

Bayern Munich have been drawn in the toughest group of this season campaign, and will look to do all they can do to reach the 2012 final, as it takes place at the clubs home ground.

They had a disappointing 2010/11 season, finishing third behind champions Borussia Dortmund and BayernLeverkusen, while The Bavarians sacked manager Louis Van Gaal in the final third of the season with caretaker manager AndriesJonker securing that coveted final qualification spot.

Club president UliHoneß instilled JuppHeynckes for his third spell in charge as manager. He guided his side through the Champions League qualification third round by comfortably beating Swiss side FC Zurich 3-0 over two legs.

Look out for new signings Manuel Neuer, Rafinha, TakashiUsami and Jerome Boateng.

Best Starting XI:

Manchester City

Last season:Premiership, 3rd
Europa League, round of 16, lost 2-1 on aggregate to Dynamo Kiev

Manager: Roberto Mancini

Key Man: David Silva

Stadium:Etihad Stadium, Capacity 46,802

The richest club in the world have continued their unbelievable spending spree as they look to compete on all fronts and mainly in preparation for their first ever Champions League campaign. They have recruited SergoKunAguero from Atheltico Madrid, SamirNasri and Gael Clichy from rivals Arsenal, as well as promising defender Stefan Savic.

They have a tough group, facing experienced Champions League sides in Bayern and Villarreal, as well as newcomers Napoli, but will look to cause quite a stir and live up to their dark horses tag. They finished 3rd in the Premier League last season, ascertaining the final automatic qualification slot.

Best Starting XI:

SSCNapoli

Last season:Serie A, 3rd
Europa League, round of 16 lost 6-1 on aggregate to BayernLeverkusen

Manager: Walter Mazzarri

Key Man:EdinsonCavani

Stadium:Stadio San Paulo, Capacity 60,240

This is Napoli’s first season in the Champions League, with Italian Walter Mazzarri in charge of the side who finished behind AC and Inter Milan in the league.

Look out for new signing GokhanInler in midfield, alongside 24 year old MarekHamsik; who is one of the best playmakers in Italian football. Up front, is undoubtedly Napoli’s biggest asset, with the sensational EdinsonCavani, who scored a total of 33 goals in 47 appearances last season, and was a member of the Uruguayan national team who won the Copa America this summer. Up front, he is partnered by Argentinean striker Ezequiel Lavezzi and Macedonian Goran Pandev, who was a 2010 winner with Inter Milan.

Best Starting XI:

Villarreal CF

Last season:La Liga 4thEuropa League, Semi-finals lost 7-4 on aggregate to FC Porto

Manager: Juan Carlos Garrido

Key Man: Giuseppe Rossi

Stadium: El Madrigal, Capacity 25,000

Villarreal played some of the best football in Spain last season, but went slightly unnoticed as all eyes seemed to be focused on the duopoly at the top of the La Liga table. However they got their just rewards, finishing 4th in the league, and attaining Champions League qualification.

Villarreal had a stuttering finish towards the end of their league campaign as a tough Europa League challenge took its toll on Juan Carlos Garrido’s small squad. They have strengthen this summer with two marquee signings; Cristian Zapata from Udinese and Javier Camunas.

They’ve sold midfielder Javier Matilla to Real Betis, experienced full back Joan Capdevila to Benfica, while cashing in on playmaker/winger SantiCazorla for €19 million to rich boys Malaga. The squad is thinner, so they will rely on players from their B side or will have to do some business before the transfer window closes.

Villarreal made it into the group stage, overcoming a difficult two legged tie against Danish side Odense. They surprisingly lost the first leg 1-0, but won the return leg 3-0 and secured qualification.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Who will win the Champions League?

About Me

My name is Leon Antonio, and this is my Football blog. Come here for news and features on the biggest topics in Football,as well as some tactical analysis.
Mainly focusing on the Premiership, Serie A and La Liga. Also covers some Ligue 1, Eredivise and Football tournaments.
Follow me on Twitter (@RealTlkFootball) and Facebook (RealTalk Football-Blog) for articles you might not have seen, as well as great videos, opinions and other bits.
Feel free to comments on my posts, all feedback is important!

Interesting Places

Legal

All articles including match analysis and editorials of Arsenal are copyright of Real Talk Football and myself.

All comments are the opinions of the individual, and do not represent the views of any football club I focus on and are solely my own.

Real Talk Football is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

Comments moderation is switched on so no spam or abuse is accepted. However, if your first comment is approved then you will be able to freely comment from then on.

"Real Talk Football" is Protected by all forms of Copyright Law, any form of plagiarism, imitation or referencing without the permission of www.realtalkfootball.blogspot.com will result in prosecution.